]]>Researchers in New Zealand have developed a prototype Bluetooth-enabled medical monitoring device that can be connected wirelessly to your smart phone and keep track of various physiological parameters, such as body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and movements. The prototype could be extended to include sensors for other factors such as blood glucose as well as markers for specific diseases. The connectivity would allow patients to send data directly to their healthcare provider and receive timely advice and medication suggestions.

Writing in the International Journal of Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications, Helen Zhou and Tim Roberts of the School of Electrical Engineering at Manukau Institute of Technology explain how they have developed a microcontroller-based personal health monitoring unit that can carry medical sensors and a positioning device. The unit can connect to other devices via the short-range wireless networking system known as Bluetooth and so could be readily connected to software on a smart mobile phone for health monitoring.

The team adds that the mobile phone can be used as a gateway to further relay patient health data to a remote database via the mobile network for remote diagnoses. "Any medical instructions can be sent back instantly to the mobile users," the team says. "The use of standard development tools makes it possible for patients to easily use everyday mobile devices for their personal health monitoring and assessment anytime anywhere." They add that, "Bluetooth and mobile networks enable wireless communications among mobile users, medical professionals and other healthcare givers in an easy, secure and efficient manner."

The device software is based on the familiar cross-platform Java system and provides user with an easy to use graphical user interface (GUI) on their smart phone that uses the standard navigation buttons on mobile devices.

]]>No Hands-Free Devices For Drivers Idea Fails To Win Public Supporthttp://www.webpronews.com/no-hands-free-devices-for-drivers-idea-fails-to-win-public-support-2012-01/
Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:19:29 +0000http://www.webpronews.com/?p=89961There are plenty of things that a driver can do to distract him/herself to a dangerous degree - texting, disciplining children, drinking beer, eating a meatball sub, etc. And while most people can agree that first thing on that list, ... Read More

]]>There are plenty of things that a driver can do to distract him/herself to a dangerous degree - texting, disciplining children, drinking beer, eating a meatball sub, etc. And while most people can agree that first thing on that list, texting, is a pretty unsafe rush hour activity, Americans are unsure about new regulations proposed by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Last month, the NTSB came out with sweeping recommendations to cure the problem of distracted driving, which they called "an epidemic."

Those recommendations included a nationwide ban on cellphone use while driving. This means both texting (which is already banned in some states) and talking. Basic phone calls as well as "non required" activity like checking Facebook and Twitter would also fall under the ban. The kicker was that the NTSB didn't limit their ban to handsets, but also included hand-free devices. The only exception that would allow a driver to talk on these devices is if they are part of a factory-installed system.

That last part is the focus of a study by market research firm Morpace, and it looks like its not going to sit too well with American drivers.

According to their research, 57% of consumers think that all hands-free devices should be legal.

This figure comes despite the fact that 64% of those surveyed said they are "extremely concerned" about distracted drivers and 30% said they are "somewhat concerned." So more than 9 out of 10 people say that are concerned about dangerous road distractions, but over half fail to put hands-free units in that category.

But the same people aren't really huge fans of the hands-free devices. Only 11% said they use them "very often" while 68% said they don't use them often.

If such a law were to be put into place, 40% of those surveyed said they would be likely to buy a car with one to approved factory-installed hands-free devices. A mild conspiracy theorist can take that wherever they want.

I'm confident that if you asked Americans if they want their kid on the road with a drunk driver, a majority would say no. I'm also pretty confident that if you asked the same question, but this time changed it to a texting driver, the answer would remain no. But according to this study, Americans don't mind sharing the road with a guy chatting with his mom on a Bluetooth device.

]]>Panasonic's New Bluetooth Hearing Aidhttp://www.webpronews.com/panasonics-new-bluetooth-hearing-aid-2012-01/
Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:23:30 +0000http://www.webpronews.com/?p=87027Panasonic launches a new Bluetooth hearing aid, making life easier than ever on the hearing impaired. Panasonic's Healthcare Group introduces the R1-W available to the public today. What makes the R1-W so unique is that it appeals to the image-conscious ... Read More

]]>Panasonic launches a new Bluetooth hearing aid, making life easier than ever on the hearing impaired. Panasonic's Healthcare Group introduces the R1-W available to the public today.

What makes the R1-W so unique is that it appeals to the image-conscious consumer, the consumer who favors practicality, and even the consumer who wants something extra. For the image- conscious, the design is much more sophisticated than other hearing aids and is available in over eight different colors. For the practical consumer, the batteries last over 300 hours and are easily changed. For the gadget fans, the Bluetooth feature can automatically connect the wearer to their phones and can store up to 2 hours and 40 minutes of voice memos. Sounds great for both grandma and grandpa!

Panasonic, a brand familiar to most for its TVs and keyboards, is demonstrating their interest in servicing a different kind of consumer- the consumer with special needs. This makes sense. If you are required to have a gadget on you at all times, why not get the most out of it? Yoshi Yuasa, Senior Vice President of Panasonic Corporation of North America states, "With the new R1-W series, Panasonic has introduced a line of hearing instruments with sound quality design that equals or exceeds anything we have seen in the industry. With Panasonic's depth of research and design prowess in the audio field, our sights are set on new innovative solutions that are game changers for the end user and the Hearing Care Professional alike.".